The Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) is organising a dialogue on Singapore and its response to the 2026 Iran War. The closed-door event will comprise two sessions and feature Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology in the Ministry of Trade and Industry in the first session and Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, Mr K Shanmugam in the second session.
The first session is a dialogue on Energy Security and Economic Resilience with Dr Tan. It will focus on the short- and long-term implications of the Iran war on a resource-constrained yet developed, technology-driven economy like Singapore’s. This, given its ambition to be a global leader in digital innovation and trade in addition to its current industrial structure, make it an energy-intensive system. How does Singapore navigate the "energy trilemma" of balancing the imperative of decarbonisation for environmental sustainability with security and affordability?
What are the policy options on sources of energy that are being explored and the parameters by which these are assessed for their suitability? What are the broader implications for Singapore’s economic structure; which business sectors are particularly vulnerable as a result of the geopolitical risks associated with the war? What support and strategies will be needed in managing energy supply chain resilience, accelerating green energy adoption, upgrading grid infrastructure and absorbing the costs of these transitions for businesses and households? The session will be moderated by Mr Vikram Khanna, Economics Commentator, The Straits Times.
The second session is a dialogue on Strengthening National Resilience with Mr Shanmugam, who chairs the Homefront Crisis Ministerial Committee convened in March 2026. After providing an update on the situation in the 2026 Iran War, the session focuses on a discussion of national-level strategies to shore up resilience — of polity and society — given the geopolitical risks and shifts that are playing out in full force in the Middle East and beyond.
How does Singapore navigate the constant challenge of being open and dependent on the resources, markets and international networks of defence and trade relations to secure the future of Singaporeans, when deep shifts in geopolitics as well as global governance institutions and norms change, as seen in this conflict? What adaptations and mindset changes are needed in government, business, community and family given the uncertainty about when and how a new equilibrium will emerge from it? The session will be moderated by Ms Selena Ling, Chief Economist and Head, OCBC Group Research, OCBC.